Line register

ABSTRACT

An automobile air vent register is described. The register uses a rotating vent cover, and an elongate opening in a configuration providing good air flow control within a limited space.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. application Ser.No. 14/464,000, filed Aug. 20, 2014, the entire contents of which arehereby incorporated by reference for all purposes.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates in general to air outlets, and morespecifically to registers in automobile air conditioning systems.

Providing controlled airflow to people in automobiles is important inproviding a comfortable driving experience. Directing the flow of air isa key factor in maintaining comfort.

Increasingly, modern vehicles have sophisticated displays, interactivenavigational systems, entertainment systems, airbags, and other featurescompeting for limited space in the vehicle, and in particular, on andaround the instrument panel. Air vents are among the features generallyprovided on or around the instrument panel or dashboard. If air ventsare too small or poorly configured, the air system may not provide flowwhere needed and may also cause unwanted noise, such as a whistling orhissing sound.

Accordingly, there is a need for air vents that provide good air flowand control using configurations that improve the use of limited space.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the invention, an apparatus is provided for a vehicleair register, comprising: an airflow path through an opening from a ductto a vehicle interior, the opening having a length and width, whereinthe length is greater than the width; a cover, wherein the cover issemi-cylindrical and configured to rotate 120 degrees between a closedposition and an open position; the cover having a partition separating acompartment from the airflow path.

In some embodiments, the opening length is at least three times thewidth.

In some embodiments, the opening length is at least four times thewidth.

In some embodiments, the opening length is at least five times thewidth.

In some embodiments, the register has a plurality of vanes orientedsubstantially perpendicular to the length of the register.

In some embodiments, the register has a plurality of vanes orientedsubstantially perpendicular to the length of the register, wherein thevanes are adapted to pivot, thereby directing air flow; a vane control,wherein the vane control is configured to pivot the vanes by a linearactuator; and a cover control, wherein the cover control is configuredto rotate the cover to a closed, open, or partly-open position.

In some embodiments, the linear actuator is a rack and pinion system andthe rack is substantially enclosed within the compartment.

In some embodiments, the cover is a single piece of material.

In some embodiments, the opening width is less than half of a width ofthe duct.

In some embodiments, the register further comprises at least twosplitter fins placed along the airflow path between the duct and theopening.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an image of a car interior showing example placements of airregisters on the dashboard.

FIG. 2 is a front perspective image of a partly open register.

FIG. 3 is a front perspective image of a fully closed register.

FIG. 4 is a front perspective cut away image of a register showing theinterior cover housing and duct.

FIG. 5 is a cross-section image of a fully open register showing theinterior cover housing, vanes, and duct.

FIG. 6 is a cross-section image of a partly open register showing theinterior cover housing, vanes, and duct.

FIG. 7 is a cross-section image of a closed register showing theinterior cover housing, vanes, and duct.

FIG. 8 is an image of an alternate embodiment of the cover with a curvedpartition.

FIG. 9 is an image of a duct with splitters.

FIG. 10 is an image of air flow through an open register.

FIG. 11 is an image of air flow through a partly open register.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

An automobile air vent register is described. The register provides goodair flow control using configurations that improve the use of limitedspace. In particular, the register has a positionable cover thatdeflects and directs the flow of air.

The register dimensions are elongate. In some embodiments, the registeropening is rectangular, with the length measured parallel to a pivotaxis and the width measured perpendicular to the pivot axis. In someembodiments, the length of the longer dimension of the opening is morethan four times the width of the opening. In some embodiments, thelength is approximately six times the width. In some embodiments thelength is five to fifteen times the width. The effective flow area mustbe sufficiently sized to accommodate the flow volume, though the ratioof length to width can vary. The terms length and width are usedrelative to the opening without limitation to the placement ororientation of the register in the automobile interior.

The register has a single set of vanes roughly perpendicular to thelonger dimension of the register. The set of vanes may be movablymounted within a housing to direct air flow. The vanes turn or rotate tochange air flow direction. A rack and pinion system may be utilized tocontrol the rotational angle of the vanes.

The configuration of the open panel surface adjacent to the register canbe shaped to utilize the coanda effect. The coanda (or Coand{hacek over(a)}) effect is the attraction of a fluid jet to flow along a nearbysurface and follow its contour. This effect can be best utilized byorienting a surface alongside or at an angle to the air flow path. Thissurface may be referred to as an open surface panel. For example, aregister placed on the instrument panel or dashboard can provide one ormore air-directing surfaces as air flowing out of the register flowsalong a surface of the dashboard. As another example, a register can bepositioned under and along an extruded long edge. The curved surfacebeneath that long edge can be used as its open surface panel.

The register has a single cover mounted to the housing. The coverrotates, or pivots, to cover the opening and the set of vanes, therebyblocking air flow. The cover can be open, closed, or partially open. Ina partially open position, the cover may be adjusted to a desired angleto direct air flow. The interior surface of the cover, facing theairflow stream, is further configured to utilize the coanda effect todirect the air flow when it is in a partially open position.

The cover retracts into a compartment. The compartment is separated fromthe air flow path by a wall and by the cover partition so as to controlturbulent flow. The partition surface shape may be flat or curved. Theshape of the partition influences the air flow. When the register isfully open the cover is rotated into the compartment which encloses andconceals the semi-cylindrical surface of the cover from view.

In one embodiment, the cover describes about 120 degrees of an arc of acircle. In cross-section view along the pivot axis of cover, theregister can be abstracted into three equally divided sections of acircle. Each section describes a 120 degree arc sector. When theregister is fully closed, a first 120 degree arc sector is covered bythe semi-cylindrical surface of the cover, facing the interior of thevehicle. When fully open, the first 120 degree arc sector is the openingof the register into the car interior. The second 120 degree arc sectorprovides an airflow path from the duct; it may also include a portion ofthe panel. The third 120 degree arc sector is used for cover retractionwhen the register fully open. The semi-cylindrical cover rotates intothe housing compartment. The third sector further provides space for acontrol system for the vanes, for example, a rack-pinion control system.The exterior contour of the cover compartment sector may be visible fromthe car interior or may be hidden from view behind paneling.

In some embodiments the cover is positioned using a dial or wheel. Inother embodiments the cover is positioned with tabs, ridges,indentations, or other surface detail on the cover surface or leadingedge. In further embodiments, the cover is positioned by a motorizedcontroller.

Air ducts supply air from a blower to the register. The register directsair flow into the passenger compartment. In some embodiments, airflow isfurther modulated by a splitter. A splitter can be placed in to the ductto provide improved air distribution. The use of splitters isparticularly useful when directing air flow through a register withdimensions that differ substantially from the duct dimensions, as withan elongate register. This difference might include, for example, a ductwith a cross-section width and height of approximately 5-7 centimetersproviding air to a register with a width of approximately 12-16 cm and aheight of approximately 2-3 cm. While in both instances the effectivearea is roughly the same, the dimensions differ substantially. Inaddition to the use of splitters, changes in side-wall dimensions alongthe air flow path can be used to restrict and spread the flow of airthrough the duct.

Turning now to the figures, by way of example, FIG. 1 depicts a carinterior 101 showing line registers 100 on panels 103 of the dashboard.As shown, the orientation of the register 100 can vary. Although shownvertically and horizontally, the register 100 can also be orienteddiagonally and in panels 103 that protrude or are recessed. Placementmay be selected based on design parameters and desired air flow.Controls 102 for each register 100 may be located adjacent the ventopening.

FIGS. 2-4 show a line register 100. The closed register 100 has asemi-cylindrical shape, convex towards the car interior 101, formed by acurved cover 104. Airflow is directed by vanes 108 which can be angledby a control 102. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2-4 control 102 isprovided by a lever 107, which uses a rack 109 and pinion 110 system toangle the vanes 108, and by a knob, dial, or wheel 106 which controlsthe cover 104 position. The cover 104 can be partly open, as shown inFIG. 2, fully closed, as shown in FIG. 3, or fully open. When fullyclosed, the cover 104 blocks airflow through the register 100. FIG. 4provides a cut-away view showing a wall 114 separating the airflow areafrom a compartment 111 that houses the cover 104 when the vent is open.This compartment 111 can also house a linear actuator for controllingthe angle of the vanes 108 as shown with the rack 109 and pinion 110system.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5-7, the air flows from the duct 112and past a restrictor 113 where the width of the duct 112 is reduced andthe length broadens to maintain a roughly equivalent flow-pathcross-section area. The air then flows past the vanes 108. As it entersthe vehicle interior, the air flow is bounded and directed by the opensurface panel 103 on one side and the cover partition 105 on the otherside. The long narrow opening provides high efficiency air flow.

The cover 104 pivots around a pivot point 115. The pivot point 115 alsodefines the forward-most edge, nearest the vehicle interior 101, of awall 114 that separates the air flow path from a compartment 111. Thecompartment 111 houses the cover 104 and may also house a linearactuator such as the rack 109 and pinion 110 pictured in FIG. 4. Thecompartment 111 may be defined on one side by a third of a circle, a 120degree arc, described by the rotational path of the cover 104. This arcensures that the cover housing area is sufficiently large to accommodatethe cover 104. The compartment 111 is also defined by the coverpartition 105 which connects one end of the arc of the semi-cylindricalcover 104 to the pivot point 115. The partition 105 faces and blocks theair flow path when the cover 104 is closed. When the cover 104 is open,or partly open, the cover partition 105 provides a surface for directingair flow.

The partition 105 may be flat, as shown in FIG. 5. It may also becurved. One example of a curved partition 105 is shown in the embodimentseen in FIG. 8. At opposite ends of the partition 105, wedge-shapedpieces connect the edge of the arc surface to the partition, with thetip of the wedge at the pivot point 115. FIG. 8 shows the cover 104 witha curved partition 105 surface.

The vane shape and placement may be adjusted to accommodate partition105 curvature or duct 112 shape. If the partition 105 has substantialcurvature, the vanes 108 may be placed closer to the duct 112. Theactuation mechanism for the vanes 108 may be off center from thecenterline of the vanes 108. Additionally, a linear actuator, or othercontrol mechanism can be placed behind a panel 103, rather than in thecompartment 111, to accommodate partition 105 curvature.

Air flows from a blower (not pictured), through ducts 112, past thevanes 108, and into the vehicle interior. Placement and shaping of oneor more panels 103 adjacent the air flow path into the vehicle interior101 provides direction of the air flow by the coanda effect. Similarly,the shape of the partition 105 provides an additional surface fordirecting airflow and utilizing the coanda effect.

FIG. 9 shows a segment of the duct 112 adjacent the register 100. Theduct 112 has a set of fins 116 functioning as a diffuser or splitter todirect airflow to more evenly flow through the register 100.

FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 show a simplified representation of air flowing intothe vehicle interior 101 through the register 100, oriented with thelong axis horizontal and the cover compartment 111 on the bottom. InFIG. 10 the register cover 104 is fully open and the air flow expands toa broad area upon entering the vehicle interior. In FIG. 11 the registercover is partly open and the air flow is directed in a narrow stream, inthis instance, toward the face of the driver.

In particular installations and embodiments, the register may be formedof aluminum, plastic, metal alloys, composites, or other stiffmaterials. The structure may be adapted by means known in the art, suchas with the use of gaskets, brackets, diffusers, and the like. Thesurfaces may be adapted with flow indicators, climate controldemonstration, pictographs, logos, texturing, and additional features.

The terms and expressions which have been employed are used as terms ofdescription and not of limitation. Whenever a range is given in thespecification, all intermediate ranges and subranges, as well as allindividual values included in the ranges given are intended to beincluded in the disclosure. It should be understood that, although thepresent invention has been specifically disclosed by particularembodiments and examples, optional features, modification and variationof the concepts herein disclosed may be used by those skilled in theart, and such modifications and variations are considered to be withinthe scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A vehicle air register, comprising: an openingfor an airflow path to a vehicle interior from a duct, the openinghaving length and width, wherein the length is three to fifteen timesthe width; and a cover configured to rotate between open and closedaround a pivot axis parallel to the length, and comprising: asemi-cylindrical surface, whereby the closed cover is semi-cylindricalon a surface facing the vehicle interior; and a partition extending fromthe pivot axis to a leading edge of the semi-cylindrical surface,whereby the partition separates a compartment from the airflow path. 2.The register of claim 1, wherein the cover is configured to rotate 120degrees between closed and open.
 3. The register of claim 1, wherein theopening has a length five to fifteen times the width.
 4. The register ofclaim 1, further comprising a pair of wedge-shaped pieces, at oppositelengthwise ends of the semi-cylindrical surface, connecting thesemi-cylindrical surface to the partition; and wherein a tip of each ofthe wedge-shaped pieces is at a point on the pivot axis.
 5. The registerof claim 1 further comprising: a plurality of vanes orientedsubstantially perpendicular to the length of the register.
 6. Theregister of claim 1 further comprising: a plurality of vanes orientedsubstantially perpendicular to the length of the register, wherein thevanes are adapted to pivot, thereby directing air flow; a vane control,wherein the vane control is configured to pivot the vanes by a linearactuator, wherein the linear actuator is substantially enclosed withinthe compartment; and a cover control, wherein the cover control isconfigured to rotate the cover to a closed, open, or partly-openposition.
 7. The register of claim 1, wherein the cover is a singlepiece of material.
 8. The register of claim 1, wherein the opening widthis less than half of a width of the duct.
 9. The register of claim 1,wherein the partition defines a partition surface configured to directthe airflow when the cover is in the open or a partly-open position, andwherein the partition surface faces and blocks the airflow path when thecover is closed.
 10. The register of claim 1, wherein the partitiondefines a partition surface configured to direct the airflow when thecover is in the open or a partly-open position, and wherein thepartition surface has an area in a range of about 24-48 square cm. 11.The register of claim 1, wherein the partition defines a partitionsurface configured to direct the airflow when the cover is in the openor a partly-open position, and wherein the partition surface is curved.12. A vehicle air register, comprising: an opening from a duct to avehicle interior, the opening having length and width, wherein thelength is three to fifteen times the width; and a cover configured torotate between closed and open around a pivot axis parallel to thelength, wherein the pivot axis defines an edge of the opening, andwherein the closed cover covers the opening and has a semi-cylindricalsurface facing the vehicle interior.
 13. The register of claim 12,wherein the cover is configured to rotate 120 degrees between closed andopen.
 14. The register of claim 12, wherein the cover further comprises:a partition extending from the pivot axis to a leading edge of thesemi-cylindrical surface, whereby the partition is configured to directairflow when the cover is in the open or a partly-open position, andwherein the partition blocks airflow through the opening when the coveris closed.
 15. The register of claim 12, wherein the opening has alength five to fifteen times the width.
 16. A method of directingairflow into a vehicle interior, comprising: providing a vehicle airregister comprising: an opening from a duct to the vehicle interior, theopening having length and width, wherein the length is three to fifteentimes the width; and a cover configured to rotate between closed andopen around a pivot axis parallel to the length, wherein the closedcover covers the opening and has a semi-cylindrical surface facing thevehicle interior, and wherein the cover has a partition extending fromthe pivot axis to a leading edge of the semi-cylindrical surface; androtating the cover to a partly-open position, whereby the partitionbounds and directs airflow through the opening.
 17. The method of claim16, further comprising: subsequently rotating the cover to a closedposition, whereby the partition blocks airflow through the register.